Aston Villa secured a crucial 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday in a huge boost for our Champions League qualification hopes.
Ollie Watkins struck just before half-time to give us the lead, and it was a big moment for the Villa frontman on a personal level too having become our all-time top Premier League goalscorer.
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It was a resolute and organised defensive display from Villa though as we held out in the second half for all three points, despite Jacob Ramsey receiving a red card in the latter stages.
While that will hopefully close the gap on our rivals for a top-five finish further by the end of the weekend, we now shift our focus to Tottenham next week as we must continue to follow up positive results in our final two games of the season.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Bournemouth:
Emiliano Martinez, 8 – Commanded his box brilliantly throughout as he was determined to be positive and to collect most balls into the area to relieve pressure. While he did pick up a silly yellow card in the first half, he went on to make two fundamental saves to help us get over the line.
Matty Cash, 8 – Superb shift. Has quietly gone about his business in the last few games and put in solid performances. Was strong defensively in this one again as he gave little away down our right side, while he made a game-defining intervention at the death to ensure we didn’t concede a costly late equaliser.
Ezri Konsa, 7.5 – Defended well throughout alongside his centre-half partner, as they didn’t allow Bournemouth to pose much of a threat through the middle, shackling Evanilson effectively and limiting his impact on the game.
Tyrone Mings, 7.5 – An important presence in the backline through the 70 minutes that he was on the pitch, as he organised the defence well and was alert to danger in and around the box with his physicality helping him to impose himself on the opposition.
Lucas Digne, 7.5 – Did well in an excellent defensive performance as a collective, as similarly to Cash, he did really well to limit Bournemouth’s threat in wide areas. Should have had an assist after delivering a top cross into the box, and Kamara should have done better.
Amadou Onana, 8 – Bit shaky in the opening stages, but settled and grew into the game to become a driving force in our midfield. Physical, athletic, tenacious and technically sound in possession, he was a vital presence in the heart of the team as he gave us something different with Youri Tielemans sidelined, and it turned out to be critical in getting the win.
Boubacar Kamara, 7.5 – Should have got himself on the scoresheet in the first half but his header wasn’t clinical enough, but that aside, he was so important again in disrupting Bournemouth’s play, regaining possession for us and then maintaining control with his distribution and positional intelligence.
Morgan Rogers, 7 – Provided the assist for our winning goal as it was a dangerous delivery into the box for Watkins to apply the finish. Still, we don’t necessarily see the best of him out on the right side, as he has to do a lot of defensive work, which takes away from his attacking threat.
Marco Asensio, 7 – Didn’t start the game particularly well as he struggled to have an influence on our play and picked up a caution, but he went close just before the break as his effort hit the post. Need more of a decisive impact from him in the final two games.
Jacob Ramsey, 7 – Plays a really key role for us with his ability to find pockets of space and to help us play with rhythm and transition from defence into attack with speed. Worked tirelessly off the ball too, and while his second booking was soft, it was a silly reaction that got him his first yellow card and that could have proven costly as we came under intense pressure with 10 men in the latter stages.
Ollie Watkins, 8 – Clinical and brilliantly deft finish to break the deadlock and ultimately secure the win. His goal ensured he’s now our top all-time Premier League goalscorer, and having enjoyed himself with the fans after the full-time whistle, it was a memorable evening for Villa’s main man up front.
Substitutes:
Pau Torres, 6.5 – Given how well Mings had been playing, it’s assumed that he was struggling with a knock and couldn’t continue. To his credit, Pau came on and filled that void well for the most part to ensure we kept a clean sheet and secured the win.
John McGinn, 6.5 – Played his part in getting us over the line as he gave us an important lift and injection of energy in the latter stages with his work-rate in and around the midfield battle as well as tracking back to limit Bournemouth.
Ian Maatsen, N/A
